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EAT, DRINK AND PLAY HOCKEY

The Kalamazoo Wings Hockey Club is here to provide a complete family entertainment package to our fans and sponsors. Wings Event Center is a premier venue for hockey, concerts, trade shows, youth athletics, and many other events! Our teams are committed to presenting an outstanding experience that will keep everyone engaged, and deliver exceptional value. We cherish every sponsor and visitor who walks through our doors, and we are committed to delivering the most exciting experience to each one of them, every single time!

 

FRONT OFFICE STAFF

Toni Will

Toni Will

General Manager & Governor

The 49th season of Kalamazoo Wings Hockey marks the 8th season for K-Wings Governor & General Manager Toni Will. During Will’s current glass ceiling-shattering tenure, Toni has established herself as a highly respected leader in professional hockey. Will is Kalamazoo’s first female general manager, the first woman ever to be named to the ECHL Board of Governors and currently sits on multiple ECHL executive committees. Under Will’s leadership, the K-Wings have seen attendance growth skyrocket for six consecutive seasons. In 2021-22, Will led the K-Wings to the No. 1 ranking in the ECHL in year-over-year attendance growth percentage. A lifelong resident of Southwest Michigan, Will graduated from Vicksburg High School and Western Michigan University. Will prides herself in not only being born and raised in the Kalamazoo area, but also in raising her family here as well. Toni has enjoyed multiple highlights and achievements since her arrival. Most notably, the “We Are Kalamazoo” game in 2016 and 2017 that helped raise over $100,000 for victims of two local tragedies, securing the 2019 Guinness World Record for ‘largest lightsaber battle’ on Star Wars Night, and ideating & executing professional hockey's first 'Rainbow Ice' game. She also sits on the ‘Hockey is for Everyone’ committee and chairs the ‘Team Services’ committee for the ECHL. Will's passion for giving back to the community extends beyond her team efforts. Currently, Will volunteers on the fundraising committee for the Southwest Michigan Miracle League, and serves on the Discover Kalamazoo Sports Advisory Council. She previously served on the boards for Trikats, Buy Local, Friends of Kalamazoo Recreation, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, the Kalamazoo Marathon, and Kalamazoo Strong. Prior to joining the K-Wings, Will worked for Fifth Third Bank and PNC Bank as a sales and service manager, overseeing the creation of customer-centric banking across 42 branches in Southwest Michigan. After her banking career, Will served as Chamber Executive VP with Southwest Michigan First, where her efforts were centered on the growth of small businesses affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce. Will enjoys family time, fitness and life-success coaching in her free time. Currently, Toni has completed over 60 triathlons, including two full Ironman competitions, over 20 half marathons and four full marathons.

Brad Vandenberg

Brad Vandenberg

Managing Director, Stadium Management Corporation
Keli Ekola

Keli Ekola

Executive Assistant
Hometown: Mendon, MI What's your professional experience/background: Massage Therapist for 3 years, Starting my 9th season with the K-Wings Favorite Food: Ice Cream! Favorite Color: Aqua Favorite Activity: Hikes with my family of 5 If I Could Live Anywhere in the World: Bavaria Favorite Thing About Working in Hockey: I love working in hockey because of the energetic atmosphere!
Chris Cadeau

Chris Cadeau

Director, Public Relations & Broadcasting
This is Chris Cadeau’s second season as the Kalamazoo Wings' play-by-play broadcaster and public relations director. Cadeau joined Kalamazoo after spending two years with Bally Sports Arizona, working as an integral part of their production & digital content departments. Chris also worked as the director of public relations and digital media for the Arizona Rattlers & Tucson Sugar Skulls in 2021. The Canton, MI native owns both an undergraduate (Arizona State - Sports Journalism) and graduate degree (Northwestern - Journalism). Cadeau's prior experience as talent / play-by-play broadcasting includes: Pac-12 Network (streaming coverage), B1G Network (streaming coverage), MLB Network, Perfect Game, Grand Canyon University Hockey, and PrepSpotlight.TV. Prior to Chris’ career in sports, and educational accomplishments, he served honorably in the United States Marine Corps for nearly 8 years. Cadeau is also a former Arizona Veteran Advisory Board member for U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and is a founding member of both the Veteran Outreach Team at the Pat Tillman Veteran Center and ASU Recovery Rising. Chris and his wife Christine live in Portage with their two children Guinevere and Jack.
Derek Arnold

Derek Arnold

Corporate Sales Manager

Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI What's your professional experience/background: Kalamazoo Wings (Vancouver Canucks ECHL Affiliate), Kalamazoo, MI - 2018 to Present Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils AHL Affiliate), Albany, New York - 2013-2017 Portland Pirates (Phoenix Coyotes AHL Affiliate), Portland, Maine - 2012-2013 Bacardi USA, Las Vegas, Nevada - 2012 University of New England - 2008-2012 Detroit Country Day School - Class of 2008 Favorite part of a hockey game: One-timer goal from the top of the circle Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Red Wings Favorite Color: Blue Favorite Hobby: Traveling Favorite Hangout: Principle If you could buy any type of food what would you buy?: Ben and Jerry's Oat of this Swirled

Tim Hindbaugh

Tim Hindbaugh

Creative Producer
Hometown: Decatur, MI What's your professional experience/background: I spent 15 years working for WWMT here in Kalamazoo, MI, before joining the Kalamazoo Wings and Wings Event Center as their Creative Video Director Favorite part of a hockey game: The intensity of the crowd Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Tigers Favorite Color: Blue Favorite Hobby: Hanging with the Family
Clay Coltson

Clay Coltson

Community Relations & Game Ops
Hometown: Hastings, MI Experience: Box Office Assistant with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Promotions Intern with the West Michigan Whitecaps, Game Operations Intern with the Kalamazoo Wings Favorite part of hockey: When the K-Wings score and the fans sing Billy Idol in unison Favorite Color: Honolulu Blue Hobbies: Watching sports and playing video games Hangout: On the couch watching movies Food: Pizza
TJ Scott

TJ Scott

Sales Associate
Hometown: Jackson, Tennessee What's your professional experience/background: Bachelor's degree in sports management from Western Michigan University. I worked with the K-Wings last year as a Game Ops intern. Before graduating from Western Michigan University I graduated from Lake Michigan College with an Associate’s degree in general studies. While attending school there, I worked softball and baseball games. Favorite part of a hockey game: I have to say my favorite part of hockey has to be the big hits. Favorite Color: I have a deep love for Tar Heel Blue. Favorite Hobby: Favorite hobbies are playing basketball and video games. Favorite Hangout: Anywhere that has a basketball rim. If you could buy any type of food what would you buy?: I definitely would buy some Chinese food. General Tso is my go-to.
Travis McCormick

Travis McCormick

Sales Associate
Hometown: Fountain, MI Experience: Sports Management Degree from Central Michigan University. Previously worked as a Game Ops and Community Relations intern for the Kalamazoo Wings in the 19/20 season. Favorite part of hockey: How fast-paced and exciting OT is, especially a K-Wings game-winner to cap it off. Favorite Color: Green Hobbies: Hunting and Fishing Hangout: Around a campfire with friends on a summer night Food: Thick and Juicy Steak
Ryan Dehommel

Ryan Dehommel

Sales Associate
Hometown: Hudsonville, MI Experience: Sports Management Degree from Northwood University. Previously worked as a Tournament Operations intern for the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. Favorite part of hockey: The intensity of 3 vs 3 Overtime Favorite Color: Carolina Blue Hobbies: Fishing and Playing Video Games Hangout: Bonfire with my friends and family Food: Traditional Lemon Pepper Wings
Joe Roberts

Joe Roberts

Sales Associate & In-Arena Host
Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI but Kalamazoo has been home for over 12 years! What's your professional experience/background: I have been affiliated with the K-Wings since the 2010 season when I joined the team as an intern. During the 2011-13 seasons, in addition to my duties with the K-Wings, I was the broadcaster and media relations coordinator for the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings of the North American Hockey League. In the following years, I took over in-game hosting duties along with other broadcasting roles around the community. Prior to the 2015-16 season, I was named the team's Director of Public Relations and Broadcaster, and I spent the next three seasons as the play-by-play radio voice and social media liaison, learning the ins and outs of the industry. In the summer of 2018, I was hired by the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League to be their radio play-by-play voice and Director of Team Services. After two seasons with the Comets and a family starting to grow, the decision was made to move back to Michigan. I've spent the last two-and-a-half years working in heating and cooling (change your filters!) while having the pleasure of once again being your in-game host. I'm very excited to be back in the world of hockey full-time! Favorite part of a hockey game: The anticipation in the build-up to a great goal. Those moments that take the whole crowd on the same journey to pure jubilation. Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Lions Favorite Color: Gray. I sometimes lie and say it's green because I don't think people will consider gray a legitimate favorite color. Favorite Hobby: Playing with my kids. I do love a round of golf, too. Favorite Hangout: Right smack-dab in the middle of my couch. If you could buy any type of food what would you buy?: A coney from Lafayette Coney Island in Detroit.

HOCKEY STAFF

Joel Martin

Joel Martin

Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations

The 2023-24 season is the second season for Martin as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations of the K-Wings, after three behind the bench as Kalamazoo's Assistant Coach. This follows a playing career that spanned 15 seasons across all levels of professional hockey. On January 18, 2021, Martin was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame. Martin is no stranger to Kalamazoo, as the former player, assistant and now head coach played nine seasons for the K-Wings before retiring after the 2017-18 season. Currently, Martin ranks No. 1 in ECHL history for career 30-plus win seasons (3), is fifth in ECHL history for career wins (200), and he put together the third-best season by any ECHL goaltender, posting 36 victories in 2015-16. Joel also holds the Kalamazoo Wings record for career wins (229), shutouts (21), games played (422), minutes played (24,755), and saves (12,310). For his efforts, Martin brought the Colonial Cup home to Kalamazoo in 2005-06. Prior to making his professional debut in 2003 with the Bakersfield Condors, Martin spent three seasons in the Western Hockey League with Lethbridge, Tri-City, Vancouver, and Calgary, where he appeared in 123 games, posting a 46-50-9 record, with a 3.24 GAA and a .893% save percentage. Martin resides in Kalamazoo with his wife Caroline and sons, Louis and Thomas.

Kohl Schultz

Kohl Schultz

Assistant Coach

2023-24 marks the second season for Kohl Shultz as Assistant Coach of the K-Wings. Schultz spent 2021-22 as the Stockton Heat’s (AHL) video coach. Prior to that, Schultz served as an assistant (2019-2021) and interim head coach (2019-20) for the Kansas City Mavericks. The Overland Park, Kansas native played collegiate hockey for the University of North Carolina from 2010-2014, before taking the position of director of hockey operation for Bemidji State University in 2014-15. Shultz then joined the University of Maine as a video coach for two seasons before his first stop in Stockton as a video coach and team manager (2017-2019).

Ben Wilson

Ben Wilson

Assistant Coach

Ben Wilson was named K-Wings assistant coach in July of 2023. This after Wilson returned to Kalamazoo for his first professional coaching role, post 11-year playing career, as a video coach for the last season. The former K-Wings captain (2016-2020) played seven seasons in Kalamazoo (2013-2020) before heading to Europe for the final two seasons of his playing career. Wilson is a native of Calgary, Alberta and played 377 games in Kalamazoo as a player, ranking him No. 11 in K-Wings history.

Austin Dykstra

Austin Dykstra

Equipment Manager

Hometown: Hudsonville, Michigan 

What's your professional experience/background: Background in Tooling and Manufacturing, experience as a locker room attendant in Kalamazoo 

Favorite part of a hockey game: Right before opening puck drop. 

Favorite Color: Blue 

Favorite Hobby: Hockey 

Favorite Hangout: DJ's Pizza Pub in Hudsonville with friends and family 

If you could buy any type of food what would you buy?: Crab legs, I'm a big seafood guy 

Family: My wife McKenna & two dogs

Cody Lindhorst

Cody Lindhorst

Athletic Trainer

The 2023-24 season is the second season for Lindhorst as the K-Wings' Head Athletic Trainer. Lindhorst joined Kalamazoo's staff after seven seasons as the head athletic trainer for the Rapid City Rush prior to spending last year working for Pennfield High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A Traverse City native, and Central Michigan University alumnus, Lindhorst was also the Divisional Representative for the ECHL Sports Medicine Executive Committee his final three seasons in Rapid City. Cody currently lives in Oshtemo with his wife Lindsay, daughter Oakleigh, and his two dogs Ember and Brystal.